Trichosanthes pulleana
Cogn ex Harms
gbif· cc0
President and Fellows of Harvard College
Description
A pumpkin family plant. It is a creeping plant. It has tendrils. The vines can become long and woody. It bears green fruit which turn orange when ripe. Inside it is filled with seeds in a bright red pulp. Leaf shape varies considerably.
Edible Uses
The seeds are eaten cooked and constitute a minor but widely distributed vegetable in Papua New Guinea.
Traditional Uses
The seeds are eaten cooked.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
A tropical plant. It occurs in many areas of Papua New Guinea but is probably more common in the highlands. It occurs from sea level up to at least 2200 m altitude. It may occur in the Solomon Islands.
Where It Grows
Asia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, SE Asia, Solomon Islands,
Cultivation
It grows wild in highland areas but better types are also sown from seed. It is normally allowed to climb up trees.
Production
Fruiting is somewhat seasonal.
Other Information
In Papua New Guinea it is a minor but widely distributed vegetable.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Tat, Towmonpuliyba, Towmontat
References (4)
- French, B.R., 1986, Food Plants of Papua New Guinea, A Compendium. Asia Pacific Science Foundation p 106
- Henderson, C.P. and I.R.Hancock, 1988, A Guide to the Useful Plants of the Solomon Islands. Res. Dept. Min of Ag. & Lands. Honiara, Solomon Islands. p 99 ? (As Cucurbita sp. ?)
- Sillitoe, P. 1995, An Ethnobotanical Account of the Plant Resources of the Wola Region, Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. J. Ethnobiol. 15(2): 201-235
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
